Barack Obama asks Joss Stone to record campaign song

Soul singer has crossover appeal, apparently

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It's being reported that US presidential hopeful Barack Obama has asked UK soul singer Joss Stone to write and record his campaign song.

According to UK tabloid The Sun, Obama has chosen Stone because of her potential appeal to black and white voters. Stone, meanwhile, is said to be "honoured" at the prospect of helping the Democrat candidate's cause.

Campaign songs are something of a tradition in US presidential elections – Obama has already used Ben Harper's Better Way and Stevie Wonder's Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours in his push for the White House.

Republican candidate John McCain, meanwhile, has allegedly been considering Abba's Take A Chance On Me to soundtrack his bid – he's a big fan of the Swedish quartet, apparently.

Going back a little, Fleetwood Mac's Don't Stop rang out during Bill Clinton's successful 1992 presidential campaign, while George W Bush originally picked Tom Petty's I Won't Back Down in 2000.

However, he was forced to stop using the song when Petty threatened to sue, and just in case there was any doubt where The Heartbreakers' leader's allegiances lay, he then performed the song at Democrat Al Gore's home after he'd conceded defeat.

Joss Stone will hope that she doesn't have to perform her song in similar circumstances in November.